Tire carrier lock



Oct. 27, 1931.l F. H. LE JEUNE 1,829,415

TIRE CARRIER LOCK Filed Jan. 18, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l lar/471111111111Illl/ Oct 27 1931. F. H. LE JEUNE 1,829,415

TIRE CARRIER LOCK Filed Jan. 18,l 1929 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Oct.27, 1931 lSTATES PATENT OFFICE v H. LE JEUNE, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN,ASSIGNOR T GENERAL MOTORS COR- POBATON, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A.CORPORATION OF DELAWARE TIRE CARRIER LOCK Application filed January18,1929. Serial No. 333,309.

This invention relates to.locks,' and has particular reference to loclrsused for secur-V ing a spare tire, and rim to an automotive vehicle.

H Locks of the type to which the present invention relates usually malieuse of a bolt which extends through a. frame or support on which the rimof the spare tire is mounted. A pair of clamps is mounted at the framesides which holds the rim removably but rigidly on the frame through theintermediary of a bolt and nut. Various devices have been devised inorder to lock the nut securely to the bolt end7 and thereby preventremoval and theft of the tire.

it is an object of the present invention to devise a new type of lock inwhich the closure or locking member for the nut or operable part of thesecuring mechanism will be ro- V2'() tatable when in unlocked position,in order that it may be swung out of the way of the nut and allow theapplication of a wrench or other suitable tool to the nut.

The closure or housing of the present invention. in addition to beingrotatable, is loodilv movable at right angles to therplane of rotation.rllhis body movement is necessary in order that the closure may heyswung to free it from the securing nut. A suitable -ao retaining memberin the form of a flat spring is secured to an extension on the closureto4 limit its movement and to hold itin position. As a modification ofthe invention the closure or housing member may be made removable and adiliierent type of clamping member applied. The clamping member mayagainst the sides of the frame and rim and project over the innerportion only of the frame or support and be removable when th o partsare in unlocked position.

On the drawings: Figure 1 shows a 'rear view of a spare tire inposition' on the tire carrier of an automotive vehicle.

Figure 2 is section on the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view of the parts shown in Figure 2, but with the closureunlocked and 5o swung to a position to free the locking nut.,

Figure 4 is a detailed view taken on the line 4 4 of Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 5 is aview corresponding to Figure 1 of a modification.

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings7 the numeral 2 indicates a bar secured acrossthe rear of an automotive vehicle. On the bar 2 there are mounted bymeans of the sleeves 4 the clamping arms 6, to the ends of which thereis secured b v means of the rivets 8 the frame or rim 10. The frame isshown in the form of a ring. although it may be a spider or othersuitable mounting meansl The frame as shown in Figures 2 and 3 ischannel-shaped in cross section, and has an inturned flange 12 at oneside of the channel. The purpose of this flange is to accommodate aprojection 14 on the rim 16 which holds the usual tire 19.

At the side of the inner flange 18 of the frame 10 there is applied theinner clamping member 20 forming a. part of the tire securing means. Theclamping member 20 has the broad terminal flange 22 extending below 75the flange 18 of the frame, the purpose of which is to retain the innerportion of the rim 16. The upper part of the clamping member 20 is inthe form of a. housing, and. extends well over the web 24 ot' the frame10. and at its outer side is provided with a recessed portion 26. thepurpose ot which will be later described. Ears 27 on the clamp 20 reston and are riveted to the frame 10.

The flanges of the frame 10. as well as the clamping member 20, areprovided with clamping lug 38, there is secured the nut 42 10o whichforms the operabley member of the vlocking means. i

The upper portion of the clamping lug 38 is provided with the terminalportion 44 which conforms rather closelyto the recessed portioni26o'fthe clamping member 20"to pre1-l wit'hzthe; relatively broad'ngen ortongue 46,',k which is adapted tot-'strike'` against-the flange f ventthe insertionof Va sharp tool. The lower portion of the clamping lug38is provided5 48 of the rim 16 to hold it rigidly inposition against theframe 10 when the nutor' operas` ble member 42 is applied.

The upper portion of'theclampinglug'38f is rounded or hollow toform anopeningas e shown at 50, and. inthis hollow portion or 3 8 when inlocked position.

opening thereis seated the roundediextensinn 52ofa closure orVlrio'using'f 5v'4which is adapted to fit closely over the nut 42 andinto. theV iianges'or extensions 37 ofthe clamping'V lug rlhe extension5'2'is providedfwith a stud portionA 56 toi which there is secured byYmeans of screwsi 58' aA retaining member 60`in the form of a at'springhaving hent -ends 61'. The purposel of the spring 6.0 isfto limit theoutward movement', on the movement to the left when considering theconstruction showninFiguresf .and of the clamp 38.

The extension 52is: provided with a rotate bl'e-locksbarrel 62j whichhas an eccentric finger 64A on its end. The-eccentric finger proj ectsintoV aA recess orgrciove` 66'- formed in a springpressedI locking pini68. operatingin a recess in the extension 52. TheA clamping lug'38visprovidedwith an opening 70which cmi'orms to the recess in thevextension 52. and

Y when the parts arein locked position i'sad'a'ptf 46 ed. t0. receivethe; endofj locking pin '68,

the structures ofFigures2and'3. "Thermovementitov the'left willbelimit'ed' bythe spring striking against the;e'dgefo'i"the'y opening50. ft'er the`closure has been movedia given distance to the left, itwill bring itsN lateral flanges or edges Z4 free ofv theY nut 42/andtheV clamp franges 37,' and permit the rotation of the closure and lockmember in the openn -ingfothe.clampinglug-E.l Theunlocked the frame 10.

position of the pants is now,- as showninFibure 3,.which.will permitthefapplication of a wrench.h or other suitablotoolLto the nut` 42.After the .nut hasbeen loosened theclamping lug`38`and its associatedlparts may bebodily removed, which will freethe iinger 46 from thev rim.48-` and. permit' its withdrawal" from Referring tothe species of Figs.5 and 6, it will be seen that -a modified type oftire lock has beenprovided. The frame or support 10 is provided with the integral flange80 `at its one side which is adapted to lit against the flange" 82 of'the rim16.H The frame 10 is provided with the 'openings 84 in whichthere is received the bolt 86, the head 8810i which abuts againstonelange of the rame'l'() and-.itsthreaded end 9.0 projects well pastkthe flange on the opposite side of the frame; v Y e kA removableclampingor holding member 92.' has anV upper' portion adapted to fitover the. inner periphery of the frame as shown at' 94', andI ai lowerportion-96, hook shaped as la-tfl98.'y tofiit against the flange42'ofthe rim 116. The "clamp 92 is provided with a transverse portion 100having an opening 102 throughV which the threaded end 901 of the holt 86'is passed. A. nut 104 is screwed o nto the threadedlend' and when theparts are in tlieposition shown in Fig. 6, the lnut rigidlylioliilslt'lfi'e clampl 92' against the frame and rim to rigidly hold-lthe parts together. e

The" clamp 92 is. provided with an opening105 at its front-portion andinv this opening there is ittedfthefclosure member 106. `The closure hasthe portion 107fjournalled in an opening 109 in the clamp 92, andthehousing-portion 1'08 at its lower end which iitsvover` andconcealsthenut 104. The space betweenl the closure 106 and the opening104 is somewhat' exaggerated inV Figs. 5 and 6 for purposes of clearerillustration,although the lit-in actual'V practiceris close to preventvthe insertion'V of ay sharptool'. A lockv barrel 110 is secured in theportion'107 of the closure 106 andinfthelockbarrel` there isreceived alock of' any` suitable type' adapted to 'operate the looking? pin 1.12.The pink 1.12 is re,- ceived in anf opening-1-14 at the upper portion'Iofthe `clamp' 92;. The outer end ofthe opening 114 isfpreerably suitablyplugged. 'llhe'y lock barrel 1'10 is provided with astud .56", 2vspring'60having'fbentends'61", and a screw'58. similarjto thecorresponding parts iUFigsQaIId 3; Y Y i The operation of the structureof Figs. 5 andG'iisas follows: The locked position'of the parts is'shown in Fig. 6 and vwhen it is de'- sired' to unlock the mechanism andremove the rim and its tire,l a key is inserted in the lockn and the'bolt shot from its present position to remove it from' the opening 114.This will permit of they bodily withdrawal of theY closure 106 withinthe limits allowed bythe spring 60, allow the swinging or yrotating ofthe closure on the portion 107in opening- 109, and render the nut 104accessible. The nut may now be removed by the application of awrench orany suitable tool and when removed'the clamp 924 is likewise free andmay belbodily'withdrawn; This will re.-

lease the rim and it may be withdrawn away from the frame 10.

I claim:

1. In a tire carrier lock, a frame for supporting the tire, means forremovably securing the rim and frame together, a closure pivoted to andextending over the operable part of said means in locked position, aneX- tension on said closure slidably and rotatably mounted in saidmeans, means for limiting the sliding movement, a lock in said closurefor locking said closure over said operable part, said closure adaptedto partake of said slidable and rotary movement when in unlockedposition.

2. The structure of claim 1, said limiting means comprising a springsecured to the end of said extension and overlapping on said securingmeans.

3, In a tire carrier lock, a frame for supporting the tire rim,interitting means for removably securing the rim and frame together, aclosure pivoted to said means and adapted to cover-the operable part ofsaid means when in locked position, a lock on said closure, a lockingpin operable by said lock and adapted to extend into an opening in saidmeans, means on said closure to retain it on the securing means butallowing a longitudinal movement relative to said securing mea-ns, saidclosure capable of rotary movement when in unlocked position to exposesaid operable part.

4. In a tire carrier locking means for the spare tires of vehicles, asupport on which the tire rim is mounted, a bolt at the support having aprojecting threaded end, a holding member fitting over one side of therim and support, said member having an opening through which saidthreaded end passes, a nut on the threaded end to rigidly hold saidmember against said rim and support, a closure over the memberconcealing said nut, and means for locking said closure to said'member,said holding member overlapping the inner part of said support andconcealing one end of said locking means.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FRANK H. LE JEUNE.

